14 Oak Bedroom Furniture Types & Styles To Consider

Your bedroom is your personal haven; it is where you constantly rest and sleep to get your energy recharged. Well, you might agree that adding a touch of nature to your bedroom evokes elegance and serenity. Many appreciate the warmth and timeless charm of oak furniture as it brings the beauty of nature to your bedroom. However, oak is not just about beauty. Interior designers and furniture specialists prefer oak bedroom furniture pieces as they are incredibly versatile, durable, and long-lasting.

Moreover, with the right oak bedroom furniture piece selection, you can either transform your bedroom into a modern or traditional style. Or if you want a unique bedroom design, you can even do a combination of both. Is oak furniture the right option for your beloved bedroom? Let us find out.

Characteristics Of Solid Oak Furniture

Solid oak furniture is a type of furniture constructed purely from hardwood that, as the name implies, comes from the tree. Compared to other common wood species such as birch, pine, cherry, or walnut, solid oak is more long-lasting due to its high density.

Solid oak wood has been used for manufacturing different types of furniture for centuries due to its durability, versatility, natural grain patterns, and beauty. Aside from that, the exceptional strength and stiffness levels are also why furniture pieces made out of solid oak remain popular. Many interior designers even consider it as one of the best furniture-making materials.

Oak Durability

Resistance to rotting, outdoor elements and insect attacks are among the notable characteristics of oak wood, which further highlight its durability. Unlike any other wood, oak wood can withstand major temperature fluctuations. Hence, oak wood is ideal for building indoor types of chairs, tables, and desks and outdoor benches, chaises, and dining tables.

Oak Hardness

There are two types of oak hardwood – white and red. However, both of these oak species are generally ideal for constructing highly durable pieces of furniture. White oak has a high Janka hardness score of 1360 lbf, while red has a hardness score of 1290 lbf.

Since both of these wood species have a high Janka hardness rating, most furniture makers believe that they are ultimately dent-, scratch-, and shock-resistant. Its pieces can absolutely survive daily wear and tear, making these wood species an ideal furniture wood option for high-traffic locations inside or outside the house.

Oak Color

The color of oak, generally speaking, varies from light beige, cream, to golden brown. Red oak, as the name suggests, often features a reddish-brown hue with delicate pinkish undertones.

Conversely, white varieties have a medium to light brown hue with grayish or yellowish undertones.

Oak Grain

Based on our expertise and utmost observation in oak wood, its grain is normally straight, and its texture is uneven. However, for some furniture builders, it’s recognized for its distinctive grain pattern, which helps in emphasizing the beauty of a particular piece of furniture. Moreover, its open grain pattern is also what makes it special. It evokes a rustic, homely, and nature-loving feel that highly boosts the warmth of the home interiors.

Plus, the open grain pattern serves as an excellent base for various wood finishes such as varnishes and stains, which allows this type of furniture to be easily customized and enhanced.

White Oak

White oak is a closed-grain wood species; hence it is less porous than red oak. That quality also makes white oak moisture-resistant. When it comes to bedroom furniture, it’s more durable than red varieties. Bedroom furniture constructed of it, as we know, can last for decades.

The most common bedroom furniture pieces that can be made out of white oak include bed frames, wardrobes, nightstands, dressers, and many more. These pieces are very much ideal for different home decor and styles, whether it is modern, contemporary, traditional, rustic, or a combination of these.

Moreover, the variety does have an eye-pleasing pale yellow to grayish-brown color that helps enhance the bedroom’s warmth, giving you an added sense of relaxation. Its color also makes it an incredible option for bedrooms with minimalist decor.

Red Oak

If you are planning to decorate and finish your oak bedroom furniture with stain or varnish, then this type might be the better option since it is more porous. Well, the porosity of red oak can both be an advantage and a disadvantage.

As aforementioned, stain, varnish, paint, and the like can adhere well to red oak bedroom furniture. However, if you are only planning to use it as it is, then it might be prone to moisture damage. Fortunately, bedrooms are not damp areas like bathrooms; thus the porosity won’t be that big of an issue.

Red oaks are similar in many properties to white types. A major difference is that red varieties, because they lack tyloses in its pores, are extremely porous. – Bohumil Francis Kukachka, Wood Colors and Kinds (Tyloses are balloon like membrane outgrowths in the wood)

Although less hard than white, red oak still makes high-quality bedroom furniture that will last many years. Numerous homeowners also prefer using red types since they are much more popular and widely available, thus making it more affordable than white options.

Golden Oak

If you wish to add a major accent to your bedroom using your furniture pieces, you can use golden oak furniture. Red or white varieties can be refinished or stained using a golden treatment. The golden color present in many pieces is often achieved by using a particular type of stain, varnish, or even paint that augments and emphasizes the brown and yellow tones of the wood.

Country- or farmhouse-style bedrooms can be further enhanced using golden oak furniture. Most often, golden pieces have more elaborate carved details, which makes them look a lot more luxurious than standard styles.

Unfinished Oak

Unfinished oak furniture indicates that the bedroom furniture piece has been produced by a craftsman but is not yet sanded, finished, or treated. It may appear straightforward, but it opens up more possibilities for homeowners who are looking for more customized and unique bedroom furniture pieces.

If you choose to have unfinished pieces within your bedroom, you are free to choose what type of stain or paint you want to apply to them. Moreover, interior designers prefer using unfinished furniture in traditional-style bedrooms since it looks a lot more rustic and natural.

Finished Oak

This type of oak furniture is just the opposite of the unfinished one. Finished pieces are already sanded, stained, painted, or treated with a clear coating, The type of finish that is used for furniture may differ in terms of texture and appearance.

Some may be matte, glossy, or semi-glossy. Those who want ready-made furniture pieces in their bedroom would normally prefer finished oak furniture as they are already polished, protected, and beautified.

Painted Oak

Indeed, oak furniture, especially red types due to its high porosity, can be painted using the color of your choice. We highly recommend opting for this selection, especially if you want your bedroom decor colors to be well-coordinated and balanced.

Many prefer using bedroom furniture pieces that complement the colors of the other bedroom elements. Moreover, painted pieces are commonly found in modern and contemporary-style bedrooms due to their customized and uniform color.

Plus, if you want to extend the longevity of your oak furniture, painting it will add a layer of protection. Once the paint gets damaged, all you have to do is repaint it. Simple as that!

Bleached Oak

If you want your bedroom oak furniture color to be a lot lighter, you can go with bleached styles. This option uses bleach or any bleaching solution to lighten the color of the wood and make it look more unique. It removes the brown, red, or yellow tones present in the lumber.

Some furniture manufacturers use bleaching agents on oak furniture not to lighten it but to highlight the grains of the wood. Hence, a piece of bleached oak furniture can serve as an accent to minimalist bedrooms. However, if you choose this type, we suggest applying either a tinted sealant or a clear coating to protect the surface.

White Washed Oak

Do you have a coastal-style or rustic bedroom decor? Well, we highly recommend going with white washed oak furniture. As the name suggests, this option is treated with a white-wash finish, which uses a diluted white paint treatment to the surface and then wiped carefully to produce a subtle and unique wood finish.

Experts love white-washing bedroom furniture as it provides a light and airy atmosphere, which elicits a beach or coastal vibe. If you want a bright, cheerful, and naturally balanced look for your bedroom, you can go with white-washed oak furniture.

Oak Furniture Styles

Here we share the different styles of oak bedroom furniture.

Traditional Oak

Are you a fan of ornate and decorative details within your bedroom? Well, traditional oak bedroom furniture has all these eye-catching characteristics. Most traditional furniture pieces such as tables, chairs, and sofas include turned or carved legs along with embellished moldings. 

This style evokes elegance and luxury. Some furniture pieces even use highly elaborate carvings and scrolled accents to give your bedroom a more classic appearance and design.  Normally, traditional oak bedroom furniture pieces are usually made out of solid white or red varieties and are finished using dark-colored stains to accentuate the beautiful grains.

If you decide to choose this bedroom furniture style for your home construction or renovation project, we recommend aiming for consistency. Meaning, it would be ideal to make sure that each of your bedroom furniture pieces is made out of oak and are using the traditional style to make the overall bedroom well-coordinated.

For example, it would be displeasing to the eye if you are using traditional oak bed frames and bedside tables and at the same time, you are still using some chairs and closets that are made out of artificial wood materials.

Rustic Oak

Rustic oak furniture is highly inspired by nature, but its appearance is usually quite simplistic. Nonetheless, rustic pieces use natural materials and complex details including weathered wood with added woven materials to promote comfort, warmth, and coziness. Furthermore, rustic furniture uses stains that make its surface look like it is weathered or aged. However, these stains would usually highlight the natural beauty of the wood grain.

The rustic wood frequently includes a medium to dark stain color as well as a natural oil-based protective coating to provide an appealing satin finish that is exceptionally hardwearing and low-maintenance.

Among the primary reasons why the rustic oak style has become such a widely known option for many residents is its versatility. Yes, its rich honey color matches both modern and traditional-style bedrooms and suits a variety of decorating styles.

Amish Oak

If you want your beloved bedroom to feature distinctively designed furniture, look no further than Amish oak furniture. Normally, these furniture pieces are handcrafted by professional artisans that are well-familiar with the classic

Amish style wooden furniture customarily uses a light stain or finish that makes the grains and texture look outstanding. We have observed that most Amish oak furniture pieces are built of top-quality craftsmanship that can last for many decades.

Indeed, durability, longevity, luxury, and agelessness are what define this style. Interior designers usually prefer putting Amish oak furniture pieces in master bedrooms.

Mission Style

Another oak bedroom furniture style that might pique the interest of homeowners who embrace vintage furniture pieces might love the mission style. Truly, mission-style pieces are characterized by their minimalistic yet high-end designs, which are influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement in the late 19th to 20th century.

Professional designers who adore minimalism usually pick mission-style oak bedroom furniture pieces as they feature very straight edges, sleek lines, and warm colors. Traditionally, they pair oak with leather to make the furniture look a lot more premium.

Solid oak is often coated with medium stain to subtly enhance the natural look and intricate details of the wood. If you wish to combine traditional with modern bedroom design, we suggest going for this style.

Tiger Oak

Not all homeowners prefer minimalism in their bedroom designs. Some want pieces of bedroom furniture that are bold-looking and extremely noticeable. Well, tiger oak furniture could be an interesting choice as it is quite unique and striking. It features a highly noticeable striped grain pattern that mimics the stripes of an actual tier.

The eye-catching and bold design of tiger oak bedroom furniture is what makes it a popular selection for those homeowners who want an exceptional statement and accent piece within their bedroom.

In addition, this style customarily uses classic design elements like carved legs and elaborate carvings that elicit splendor and formality. Dark stain and glossy coating are the most common finishes in use.

Quarter Sawn Oak

We have seen that numerous furniture makers are also opting for quarter sawn oak bedroom furniture. When you say quarter sawn, it implies that the log is initially cut into quarters. Every quarter is then turned and chopped again.

The planks are milled from the center of the log. In fact, this method results in a distinctive and appealing pattern that makes the furniture piece ideal for different bedroom designs.

Moreover, quarter sawn cuts provide greater stability and tolerance to bending and warping. Plain sawn and quarter sawn are both sturdy and long-lasting options. However, quarter sawn furniture is a lot more stable and expands and contracts less when exposed to constant humidity.

One popular way quarter sawn methods are used is in kitchen cabinets. Quarter sawn white oak cabinets are available as well as honey oak cabinets which are quarter sawn white oak that has been treated with a stain.

How to Clean Oak Surfaces

Whether you have a modern or traditional piece of oak bedroom furniture, we are quite sure you will agree that keeping it clean, dust-free, and well-maintained helps extend its longevity and maintain its beauty. If you want to spruce up the appearance of your bedroom furniture or keep it looking brand new, read the guidelines, tips, and reminders below:

General Guidelines on How to Clean Oak Furniture

 

1. Dust the wooden furniture on a regular basis. Keep in mind that allowing dust to accumulate can cause harm to oak furniture, therefore you have to make this part of your daily routine.

2. Once dusted, make sure to always wipe your surfaces with a soft and moist cloth. 

3. If you ever plan on using cleaning solutions, always ensure to use the safest ones. Do not use harsh cleaners and abrasive scrubbers as they can badly damage the quality of your oak furniture.

Rather, use a mild soap or a specialized furniture cleaning agent. To ascertain if it is effective, test the solution first on an inconspicuous area.

4. After that, wipe the piece down with a gentle, dry cloth to eliminate any excess moisture. Do not ever leave the moisture to dry on the surface on its own as it may leave unwanted watermarks, or worse, molds.

5. Buff the major surfaces. This step will help in gradually restoring its luster.

6. Furthermore, you should always ensure to reapply protective coatings such as wax, as often as your oak furniture manufacturer recommends.

How to Remove Stains from Oak

It is critical to understand how to correctly remove stains from oak furniture. Whenever something bad happens, you must know how to remove the stain as soon as possible. In terms of removing fresh water stains, responding immediately could allow you to fix the problem quickly. All you have to do is wipe away any excess moisture using a dry cloth, then use a hairdryer on low heat to properly evaporate the remainder.

You will need to perform a little extra effort if the stain has settled. Understanding how to remove stains requires being cautious and patient.

Here are basic tips and tricks you can apply when removing stains from your oak furniture:

1. Mix vinegar with olive oil or water. Gently rub the stain using this cleaning solution and a soft cloth.

2. If the stains are caused by grease, you can try combining the vinegar with baking soda for a more powerful removal effect. You can put this solution in a spray bottle, spray some on the stained part, and wipe it with a moist cloth.

3. If the stain is hardened, try mixing toothpaste with baking soda in a container. After mixing, apply some of the toothpaste and baking soda mixture onto the hardened stain and leave it for at least 15 minutes. After that, try to wipe it away with a moist cloth.

Note: Whenever you are cleaning a stain, remember to work starting from the outer areas towards the center of the surface to prevent the stain from spreading. Plus, before using a particular cleaning solution, make sure to test it first on a tiny and inconspicuous area first to verify its effectiveness.

1. If the stain is not yet removed even after following these steps, repeat the process until every stain is gone.

Oak Maintenance

Proper maintenance is always the key to prolonging the service of a particular wooden furniture. Without further ado, here are some reminders if you want to keep your oak bedroom furniture well-maintained:

Place the bedroom furniture in a location that is entirely out of direct sunlight. Remember that the arrangement of your bedroom is quite critical, particularly for larger furniture pieces.

Excessively bright sunlight can cause oak furniture to split and discolor, which badly affects its longevity and appearance.

You must also arrange the furniture pieces in a spot where there are no constant temperature changes. Aside from that, you have to avoid placing hot, cold, or wet substances directly on top.

Make sure to always use coasters and placemats on certain surfaces like oak bedside tables to protect the furniture from accumulating watermarks or stains. See more related content in our article about red oak flooring on this page.